2025 PRESIDENT CUP PREVIEW: ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK VS KUMASI ASANTE KOTOKO

• The 6-time Champions, Hearts of Oak to host 8-time Champions, Asante Kotoko in the 2025 President Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 6th July, 2025 evening.

Predictions: Away win/draw

• NOTE: THE PRESIDENT CUP IS THE SAME AS THE REPUBLIC DAY CUP AND IT WAS FIRST PLAYED ON 1ST JULY, 1969.

• Republic Day Celebration Cup or President Cup is different from Independence Day Cup. Independence Day Cup was introduced in 1958 after a year of Independence.

• Ghana went to Republic on 1st July, 1960. The country first Presidential election was held on 27th April, 1960 and the Election was won by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah over JB Danquah.

The games played before 1960 were Independence Cup since there was no President in the country until 1960.

• NB: The name President Cup was introduced by Hon. Prince Oduro Mensah former MP for Techiman South and a former Substantive CEO of National Sports Authority, and Hon George Isaac Amoh former MP for Ayawaso West.

- They suggested to Mr J. Y. Appiah the then GHALCA Chairman to help the Organization of the competition to honour the sitting President (J. A. Kuffour) on every Republic Day Celebration.

• 1st July, 1969 (Busia Cup)

9th Republic Day Celebration

Asante Kotoko               0-1 Ebusua Dwarfs ***                                       

Robert Kwofie

NB: Presentation of the Trophy was by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia.

• 1st July, 1973 (Acheampong Cup)

Venue : Kumasi

13th Republic Day Celebration

Hearts of Oak                0-1 Asante Kotoko ***                          

Emmanuel Donkor

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by I. K Acheampong.

• 1st July, 1984 (Supreme Military Council)

NB: This was to Raise funds for Olympic games.

24th Republic Day Celebration.

1st Leg in kumasi

Asante Kotoko               0-0 Hearts of Oak

2nd Leg in Accra

• 8th July, 1984

Hearts of Oak                1-1 Asante Kotoko

Offei Ansah//Emmanuel Quaye (Joe Tex)

NB: The trophy was awarded to Asante Kotoko for getting an away goal

NB: Presentation of the Trophy by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

• 1st July, 2003 (President Cup)

New Patriotic Party

43rd Republic Day Celebration

Hearts of Oak                2-0 Great Olympics

NB: Bernard Don Bortey (brace) and his second goal was from a spot kick.

NOTE: Francis Mantey of Olympics was shown Red card on the 56th minute.

• NB: Great Olympics squandered a penalty which was Saved by GK James Nanor on the 86th minute.

NOTE: Referee Alex Quartey

• NB Presentation of Trophy: after the game, President J. A. Kufuor presented the trophy to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour Skipper of Accra Hearts of Oak.

• 1st July, 2004 (President Cup)

New Patriotic Party

44th Republic Day Celebration.

Liberty Professionals   0-1 Asante Kotoko ***

NB: Yusif Alhassan Chipsah header was enough for Kotoko on 44th minute.

Referee William Agbovi

NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President J. A. Kuffour together with Hon. Kojo Baah Wiredu [the late] (Minister of Education, Youth and Sports).

• 1st July, 2005 (President Cup)

New Patriotic Party

45th Republic Day Celebration

Hearts of Oak                0-1 Asante Kotoko ***

NB: George Yamoah on the 83rd minute.

• Note : Ishmael Addo and Nii Odartey Lamptey played as quest for the respective clubs.

Referee J. K Mortey

NB Presentation of the trophy was done by the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama (the late).

NB: Artist (K. K Fosu, Tic Tac, Rex Omar and Obour).

• 1st July, 2008 (President Cup)

New Patriotic Party

48th Republic Day Celebration.

Heart of Lions                2-2 Asante Kotoko

Dominic Adiyiah, Stephen Owusu (pen)//Jordan Opoku Darko, Eric Kwabena Bekoe

• NOTE : Asante Kotoko won 3-0 on penalties.

NB: Godfred Rockson of Lions was shown Red card.

- Heart of Lions disappointingly failed to convert any of their first three penalty kicks while Asante Kotoko scored three from four kicks with Daniel Acquah, Nii Adjei and Eric Bekoe scoring.

Referee Alex Quartey

NB: The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama (the late) presented the trophy to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour who was Asante Kotoko captain.

• 1st July, 2009 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

49th Republic Day Celebration.

Hearts of Oak                1-1 Sekondi Eleven Wise

Eric Gawu//Winfred Dormon

• NOTE: Hearts of Oak won 5-4 on penalties.

NB: Stephen Aidoo of Eleven Wise was shown Red card.

- Penalty Kicks: Francis Bossman, Karim Alhassan, Kwabena Boafo, keeper Laud Quartey and Eric Gawu converted their kicks with Samuel Affum and Douglass Nkrumah failing.

Michael Ocansey who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Winfred Dormon, Edmund Sakyi and Yaw Nyarko scored for Xi Wise, whilst Eric Owusu, Ohene Addo, and Abdulai missed their kicks to send the Phobians into wild jubilation right into the night.

Referee Joseph Lamptey

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2011 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

51st Republic Day Celebration.

Asante Kotoko               2-2 Berekum Chelsea

Alex Asamoah, Fatau Mohammed//Gladson Awako, Bismarck Idan

• NB: Berekum Chelsea won 8-7 on penalties.

Referee Awal Mohammed

• NB: PENALTY KICKS CONTROVERSIES:

- The negative reaction of the Asante Kotoko team was after Tamale-based referee Awal Mohammed ordered two penalty kicks by Berekum Chelsea duo, Yaw Alexander and Alfred Arthur to be re-taken, insisting that the Kotoko goalie Soulama Abdoulaye (the late) came off his line before both kicks were taken.

- Earlier, the Asante Kotoko team threatened to walkout after Berekum Chelsea’s Alfred Arthur’s kick was ordered to be re-taken following the keeper’s move from the goal line, thus halting play for close to five minutes before the Porcupine Warriors rescinded their decision following the intervention by some high ranking officials including the Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

When calm was restored, Arthur scored on the second attempt before Jackson Owusu, Abdul Basit Mohammed and Adams Ahmed also found target for Berekum Chelsea whilst Prince Anokye missed for Asante Kotoko with Ahmed Toure and Frank Boateng hitting the back of the net for the Porcupine Warriors.

• Asante Kotoko line-up: Abdoulaye Soulama, Yaw Frimpong, Sabato Mohammed, John Kuffour, Prince Anokye, Daniel Nii Adjei, David Offei, Frank Boateng, Ahmed Toure, Alex Asamoah and Haruna Ganiyu.

Subs: Aziz Ansah, Henry Owusu, Gershon Akuffo, Stephen Oduro, Fatawu Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah and Isaac Amoako.

Coach : Bogdan Korack

• Berekum Chelsea line-up: Ernest Sowah, Yaw Alexander, Owusu Jackson, Gladson Awako, Owusu Obed, Isaac Morgan, Edward Kpodo, Ahmed Adams, Bismark Idan, Alfred Arthur and Eric Agyemang.

Subs: Maxwell Banahene, Richard Afari, Ebenezer Odei, Kwaku Andoh, Josiah Kunde, Mohammed Abdul-Basit and Awudu Moro.

Coach : Orlando Wellington

• NB: Vice President John Dramani Mahama presented the trophy to Berekum Chelsea’s captain Abdul Basit Mohammed.

• 1st July, 2012 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

52nd Republic Day Anniversary Celebration Cup.

Berekum Chelsea          2-1 Asante Kotoko

Edward Kpodo, Gladson Awako//Kofi Nti Boakye

Referee Samuel K. Gyasi

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy by Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2013 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

53rd Republic Day Celebration.

NB: For the first time foreign clubs (TP Mazembe and Enugu Rangers) were invited to participate in the Republic Day Anniversary Cup and four clubs were also involved for the first time, and they played from Semi-finals which both TP Mazembe and Enugu Rangers lost to Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC respectively.

Hearts of Oak                2-0 Medeama SC

Mahatma Otoo got brace.

NB: Ruben Gnagne of Hearts of Oak missed penalty.

Referee Cecil Fletcher

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President John Dramani Mahama.

• 3rd place

TP Mazembe                  2-0 Enugu Rangers

• 1st July, 2015 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

55th Republic Day Celebration.

Hearts of Oak                0-0 Asante Kotoko

• NB: Hearts won 5-4 on penalties.

Hearts kicks: (Ruben Gnange, Isaac Oduro, Gilbert Fiamanyo, Richard Yamoah and Foovi Aguidi).

• Kotoko kicks: (Michael Akuffu [missed], Eric Donkor, Latif Amadu, Christopher Bonney and Dauda Mohammed)

Referee Samuel k Gyasi

• Hearts of Oak Lineup:

Soulama Abdoulaye, Fatau Mohammed, Isaac Oduro, Philip Boampong, Sabah Laryea, Issah Mumuni, Eric Kumi, Selasi Adjei, Eric Kumi, Paul Acquah, Isaac Mensah.

• Asante Kotoko Lineup:

Ofori Antwi, Jordan Opoku, Atta Kusi, Christopher Bonney, Small Boy Korbah, Amed Adams, Micheal Akuffu, Prince Baffoe, Ahmed Toure, Obed Owusu, Eric Donkor.

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by President John Dramani Mahama.

• 1st July, 2016 (President Cup)

National Democratic Congress

56th Republic Day Celebration

Hearts of Oak                0-0 Asante Kotoko

NB: Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties.

Referee Awal Mohammed

• NB: Presentation of the Trophy was done by Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye.

• Penalty Kicks:

• Asante Kotoko goalie, Ernest Sowah was in inspired form during the penalty shoot-out saving three penalty kicks to hand Kotoko victory.

- The former Berekum Chelsea goalie saved kicks from Ibrahim Musah, Paul Acquah and Patrick Razak while his opposite number, Gbeti saved once from a tame Eric Donkor effort while Samuel Kyere blasted his penalty over the bar.

• Order of Penalties:

Hearts of Oak skipper Robin Gagne stepped forward and coolly finished the first kick. Evans Quao stepped forward for Asante Kotoko and scored his too.

- Ibrahim Musah for Hearts and Eric Donkor for Kotoko, both missed their kicks.

- Paul Acquah followed for Hearts of Oak and had his kick saved before Emmanuel Osei scored for Asante Kotoko.

- Ollenu Ashittey also scored for Hearts of Oak before Samuel Kyere missed an opportunity to put Hearts of Oak ahead by over cocking his kick.

- With the kicks still at 2-2, Patrick Razak stepped forward and missed for Hearts of Oak before Asante Kotoko skipper Amos Frimpong ensured victory by finishing on the day.

• 2017 President Cup

2nd July, 2017

New Patriotic Party

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante Kotoko               1-1 Hearts Of Oak

• The game was tied at 1-1 with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Kotoko took the lead through Saddick Adams in the first half but Hearts responded courtesy of Kwame Kizito. The rains accompanied by strong winds forced referee William Agbovi to halt proceedings.

• NB: The match was rescheduled for Monday, 3rd July at exactly 3pm.

• Monday, 3rd July, 2017

Asante Kotoko              0-0 Hearts of Oak

• NB: Kotoko won 4-1 on penalties.

The match eventually ended goal-less and a winner needed to be decided by the shoot-out. Kotoko went up first and their captain Amos Frimpong found the target. Hearts, on the hand, started poorly with Atingah missing his kick. Evans Quao scored his kick but Robin Gnagne blasted his over the bar. Jackson Owusu was successful as was Hearts’ Richard Akrofi.

• Then, Saddick Adams finished the Phobians off with a calm penalty after a strong run-up aimed at throwing Hearts’ goalie Ben Mensah off. Kotoko keep the trophy they won last year in addition to GHS 10,000 in prize money.

• The presentation was done by Hon Isaac Asiamah, Youth and Sports Minister.

• 2019 President Cup

22nd December, 2019

New Patriotic Party (NPP)

62nd Republic Day Celebration

Asante Kotoko               2-1 Hearts of Oak

Naby Laye Keita//Kofi Kordzi, Mohammed Alhassan (OG)

• 2020-2021 President Cup

Not held due to COVID - 19 Pandemic

• 2022 President Cup

New Patriotic Party (NPP)

65th Republic Day Celebration

5th March, 2022

Hearts of Oak                2-1 Asante Kotoko

Daniel Afriyie Barnieh 50', Patrick Razak 88'//Robert Addo Sowah 75' (OG)

• 2023 President Cup/Ghana Premier League fixture

Friday, 4th March, 2023

New Patriotic Party (NPP)

66th Republic Day Celebration

Venue: Accra Sports Stadium

Hearts of Oak                1-0 Asante Kotoko

Konadu Yiadom 57'

• Tuesday, 5th March, 2024 (2024 President Cup)

H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

New Patriotic Party (NPP)

67th Republic Day Celebration

Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Asante Kotoko (Ghana) 1-2 Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast)

Steven Desse Mukeala 83' (pen)//Kouame Yao 13', Arthur 25' (pen)

NB: Asec Mimosas are the third foreign club to have participated in the President Cup or Republic Day Cup competition since 1969 [TP Mazembe and Enugu Rangers (2013), Asec Mimosas (2024)].

• LET'S LOOK AT THE REPUBLIC DAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CUP (PRESIDENT CUP) WINNERS:

• Asante Kotoko                        : 8 times.

• Hearts of Oak                          : 6 times.

• Berekum Chelsea                   : 2 times.

• Ebusua Dwarfs                        : 1 time.

• Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast) : 1 time

• NB: The 2025 President Cup is the 19th edition since the competition started in 1969 and only five (5) different clubs have won the trophy. Asante Kotoko are the most successful club with eight (8) titles in the competition.

• Asante Kotoko [8] (1973, 1984, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019)

• Hearts of Oak [6] (2003, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2022, 2023)

• Berekum Chelsea [2] (2011, 2012)

• Ebusua Dwarfs (1969)

• Asec Mimosas [Ivory Coast] (1)

• LET'S LOOK AT ALL MATCHES PLAYED AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM INCLUDING FRIENDLIES SINCE 5TH SEPTEMBER, 1954

Total matches played       - 107

Hearts of Oak wins           - 33

Goals scored                     - 111

Asante kotoko wins          - 37

Goals scored                     - 110                       

Drawn games                    - 37

• LET'S LOOK AT TROPHY MEETINGS

All-time trophy meetings - 52 times but 6 of them were not Declared.

Total Trophies played      - 46

Hearts of Oak wins           - 22

Asante Kotoko wins         - 24

• LET'S LOOK AT REGINALD COLLINS AMOAH (CENTER REFEREE)

• The 2025 President Cup fixture will be his 2nd time officiating Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko game.

• Referee Reginald Collins Amoah was the center man when Hearts of Oak hosted Asante Kotoko on Sunday, 10th December, 2023 in match Day 14 in the 2023-24 season of the GPL at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium when Kotoko won 3-2 over Hearts.

Sunday, 10th December, 2023 (Day 14) [2023-24]

Hearts of Oak                2-3 Asante Kotoko

Linda Mtange 39', Martin Karikari 90+4'//Isaac Oppong 45+2', Steven Desse Mukwala (brace) 56', 74'

• NB: Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their last five (5) games against Hearts of Oak in all competitions when Nana Apinkrah Awuah was appointed as Chairman of Kotoko IMC (W4 D1 GF8 GA3).

• 10/12/23 Hearts of Oak  2-3 Asante Kotoko *** (Day 14) [2023-24]

• 26/05/24 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Hearts of Oak (Day 31) [2023-24]

• 17/07/24 Hearts of Oak  1-2 Asante Kotoko *** (2024 Democracy Cup)

• 15/12/24 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Hearts of Oak (Day 13) [2024-25]

• 04/05/25 Hearts of Oak   0-0 Asante Kotoko (Day 30) [2024-25]

• Asante Kotoko are chasing their longest unbeaten record against Hearts of Oak when they went 7 games without defeat against Hearts of Oak in all competitions extending from 1980-1982.

• The last time Hearts of Oak won over Asante Kotoko in a competitive game was 5th March, 2023 in match Day 20 in the 2022-23 season of the GPL (1-0) courtesy Caleb Amankwah on the 57th minute.

• AKWASIDAE FESTIVAL

• The last time Asante Kotoko won over Hearts of Oak in AKWASIDAE in ACCRA was 20th March, 1977 (48 years ago) in a Ghana League game in match Day 3 in the 1977 season (0-1), courtesy Gordon Prempeh.

• All AKWASIDAE games put together

Total games played          - 10

Hearts of Oak wins           - 5

Asante Kotoko wins         - 4

Drawn games                    - 1

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike)